Rain, snow and wind forced organizers to whack 50km off Wednesday’s queen stage at the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya, but that was just fine with Astana’s Janez Brajkovic.

The slender Slovenian climber darted to victory in the weather-shortened stage and rode into the race leader’s jersey in the weeklong WorldTour race across Spain’s scenic Catalunya region.

Brajkovic was away in a 12-man breakaway early in the stage when riders still expected to race the entire 210km from La Vall D’en Bas to Port-Ainé.

Foul weather blew through northern Spain, dumping snow, ice and rain on the higher climbs, making it impossible for organizers to safely conduct the race. A number of riders, including Andy Schleck (RadioShack-Nissan) abandoned the race, but officials announced hours later that the general classification would be neutralized and the abandoned riders allowed to continue. While Brajkovic’s victory would have delivered him the overall lead (though no jersey ceremony took place), Michael Albasini (GreenEdge), winner of stage 1 and 2, will retain the top spot on GC.